Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wednesday December 17 - Trevor Linden Night

There were 5 games up for grabs on Wednesday night and Former Islanders made waves in 4 of those tilts. However, the night was special for a different reason as the Vancouver Canucks retired Trevor Linden's number before a sold out crowd. Linden of course forged his career as a two-time Canuck but must be remembered for his brief stay as captain of the Islanders. Though who made his career as king of British Columbia Linden will always be a Former Islander. Here is a look at the action:

Columbus center Michael Peca scored the tying goal with less than 8 minutes remaining in regulation as the Blue Jackets edged the visiting San Jose Sharks 2-1 in OT. Peca snapped an 8 game point-less streak and a 13 game goal-less stretch with the netter. He now has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points on 26 games. The goal was career point #450 for Peca and came in his 819th game.

Calgary winger Todd Bertuzzi also snapped a goal-less run, this time a 19 game drought, as he netted the OT game winner in the Flames' 3-2 road win over the Minnesota Wild. Bert has 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points on 32 games. He has 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) over the last 7 games. The goal-less streak was ostensibly the longest of Bert's career and pushed him from early team leader to 6th on the squad in goals. The winner was Bertuzzi's 32nd in 825 career games.

On Trevor Linden Night the Canucks did not disappoint the home crowd as they pulled off a 4-2 win over the tanking Edmonton Oilers. Trying to help out the Oil was winger Robert Nilsson who recorded the secondary assist on a late powerplay tally. Nilsson now has 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points on 26 games. Half his points (5, 2 goals, 3 assists) have come on the man advantage. For the 2nd straight season and 3rd time on his career Nilsson has reached the 10+ point plateau.

The New York Rangers were confident they could defeat the host Los Angeles Kings and despite a barage of shots and OT the Blueshirts pulled off a 3-2 OT victory. They were so confident, in fact, that starter Henrik Lundqvist got rest as FI goalie Stephen Valiquette got the start. Vali stopped 39 of 41 shots including 4 in OT to secure the win. Valiquette improved to 4-2-0 on the season with a .920 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average. He has won his last 2 starts, both 3-2 wins and is only 1 win away from equalling last year's career high 5 victories.